Places To Visit If You're In Shillong, Meghalaya(India) - NaRympei

The landlocked state of Meghalaya is one of the seven sisters of North-east India. It was formed by carving out two districts from the state of Assam: the Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills, and the Garo Hills on 21st January 1972. Road is the only means of transport while the capital Shillong is relatively well connected. The state offers many adventure tourism opportunities such as mountaineering, rock climbing, trekking and hiking, caving and water sports to name a few but more importantly Meghalaya is famous for its serene thick subtropical forest supporting a vast variety of flora and fauna and its majestic waterfalls, springs, and island.

A view in one side of Wards Lake

Apart from the magnificent and picturesque mountains top views, beautiful streams and rivers and the serenity of the dense forest of the state. Here are some of the five places you can visit whilst staying in the city especially if you're staying in the heart of the city Police Bazar :

- Located in the heart of the city, one of the beautiful places to hang out. Open on all days of the week except on Tuesday, and the entry fee is only ₹10 per head for adults and ₹5 for minors. The place looks magnificent in both morning and evening and it is perfect for photography.

One of the largest and natural golf course in the whole of Asia, sought by every local as a picnic spot for their lazy Sundays afternoon, is a must on your travel bucket list if you're in Shillong, to add bonus to that statement, the entry fee is free of cost with no fences and barricades, one of the most scenic places in Shillong.

3. Iewduh

An everyday scene in Iewduh

If you want to know about the culture and traditions of the people of the state and their livelihood one of the places you have to visit is the local market situated in Motphran, the place exhibit the traditional and cultural existence of the source of livelihood of the people of the state, being one of the oldest and the largest market in Shillong, looked after by the Khasi chieftains. The market is divided into large sections, each area dedicated to a specific possession or ingredient, here you can get anything from a traditional Khasi delicacy or to item or article used by the locals or perhaps a fruit or a vegetable grown only in the state. Honestly, the market is not for the light-hearted, as the lanes are smaller and with the hustling and bustling market, one can easily get lost into it but there's always a way out as these markets have many exit and entry points. But if you want to explore the state through its core Iewduh is one of the places you do have to visit if you're in the city.

4. Maitilang Park:

Located in Upper Shillong, formed by the Self Help Group of the area, is one of the most beautiful recreational places to visit with family and friends if you're in Shillong, and the park gives a good view of the elephant falls located on the opposite side of the park. The entry fee ranges from ₹10- ₹20, with a good parking space and a couple of restaurants and cafes in the park. The park gives out a laid back vibe with the music playing in the background and more importantly, with its majestic view of the elephant falls opposite to it.

5. Shillong Peak

One of the highest peak in Shillong offering a breathtaking and a Panasonic view of the whole of Shillong. The peak stands 2000mtr above sea level. The entry fee is ₹30 per head, the peak is strictly prohibited at the entrance (military zone) and if one climb to the top of the peak on a sunny day depending on the weather, one can get a spectacular view of the city. So if you're in the state, and probably in Shillong Shillong Peak has to be in your go-to travel bucket list All the places and destination are easily accessible by cabs and buses mention above at a cheap cost.